Multi-stage dispensers

ABSTRACT

A multi-stage floatation dispenser for carrying a ballast, which may be a non-water consumable dispersant and at least one water consumable dispersant wherein the weight of the water consumable dispersant decreases as the water consumable dispersant is consumed with the weight of water consumable dispersant and the non-water consumable coordinated with the flotation capacity of a flotation dispenser to provide for either a two stage or a three stage dispensing mode.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of patent application Ser.No. 13/998,870 filed Dec. 16, 2013 titled Multi-Stage Dispensers(pending), which claims priority from U.S. provisional application61/848,145 filed Dec. 24, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The concept of a floating dispenser for continually delivering waterchemical treatment to a body of water is known in the art. Typically, aflotation dispenser carries a water chemical, which is dissipated fromthe dispenser as the dispenser floats in the body of water. In somecases the dispenser tips on its side when the water chemical has beenconsumed and in other cases the dispenser is removed after a period oftime. In still other cases additional water chemical is added to thedispenser based on how high the dispenser floats in the body of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention comprises a multi-stage floatation dispenser forcarrying a ballast, which may be a non-water consumable dispersant, andat least one replaceable cartridge wherein the replaceable cartridgecontains a water consumable dispersant wherein the weight of the waterconsumable dispersant decreases as the water consumable dispersant isconsumed.

In two-stage mode information is provided by the position of theflotation dispenser with respect to a water line. Information on anintermediate dispensed condition or a dispensed condition of the waterconsumable dispersant, is determined by an internal torque on theflotation dispenser, which is caused by the relationship of the weightof the ballast to the weight of water consumable dispersant, which islocated along an axis of the flotation dispenser. In the two-stage modethe information on the status of the water consumable dispersant istransmittable to an observer by the rotational orientation of theflotation dispenser with respect to a water line.

In the three-stage mode additional information is provided by thevertical position of the flotation dispenser with respect to a waterline. In the first stage of the three-stage mode the initial position ofthe flotation dispenser is below the water line. The submersion of theflotation dispenser occurs when the initial weight of the cartridges andthe water consumable dispersants and the non-water consumabledispersants i.e. contents of the flotation dispenser is in excess of thebuoyancy force of the flotation dispenser. As the water consumabledispersant is consumed the initial weight of water consumable dispersantweight decreases reaching a point where the buoyancy force of theflotation becomes greater than the contents of the flotation dispenser.This is the second-stage where the flotation dispenser appears above awater line and floats in a first orientation. In the third-stage therelationship of the weight of the water consumable dispersant to theballast provides further information on the status of the waterconsumable dispersant in the flotation dispenser though rotation of thefloatation dispenser from the first orientation to a second orientation.Consequently, the weight of the replaceable cartridge in relationship tothe buoyancy force of the flotation of the dispenser as well as theratio of the weight of the ballast to the weight of water consumabledispersant can be used to provide information on an initial stage, anintermediate stage and a final stage of the water consumable dispersantin the cartridge. This feature can also be used to allow the flotationdispenser to dispense one or more water consumable dispersants andprovide visual information on the status of each dispersant. A furtherfeature of the invention is that the same flotation dispenser may beused with one set of dispersants in a two-stage mode or with another setof dispersants in a three-stage mode through selection of theappropriate replaceable cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a flotation dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of another flotation dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a three-stage flotation dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a view of a body of water with the three-stage flotationdispenser of FIG. 3 located at the bottom of the body of water;

FIG. 5 is a view of a body of water with the three-stage flotationdispenser of FIG. 3 floating in a first orientation in the body ofwater;

FIG. 6 is a view of a body of water with the three-stage flotationdispenser of FIG. 3 floating in a second orientation in the body ofwater;

FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view of a dispensing cartridge;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the dispensing cartridge of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a top view of the dispensing cartridge of FIG. 7 locatedtherein;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a dispensercartridge for placement in a floatation dispenser;

FIG. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of a dispenser cartridgefor placement in a floatation dispenser;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a flotation dispenser with the dispensercartridge of FIG. 10 located therein;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a set of cartridges for use in a flotationdispenser;

FIG. 12A is a top view of a flotation dispenser without a dispensercartridge therein;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a flotation dispenser with a dispensercartridge therein;

FIG. 14 is a partial side view of the flotation dispenser of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an isolated view of the dispenser cartridge located in theflotation dispenser of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a dispenser cartridge and a fastener forholding the dispenser cartridge in the flotation dispenser; and

FIG. 17 is a top view showing a dispenser cartridge axially restrainedwithin the flotation dispenser of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a spherical shaped flotation dispenser 10 floatingpartially above a water line 11 and partially below the water line 11.In the example shown a housing comprising a spherical shaped shell 12has a central vertical flotation axis 20 extending vertically throughthe flotation dispenser 10. A cylindrical sleeve 13 having a cylindricalopening or cylindrical passage 13 a extends along the central flotationaxis 20 to provide water access to dispersants located within cartridge14 and cartridge 16 that are both carried in cylindrical sleeve 13.Located radially outward from the central flotation axis 20 is anannular flotation chamber 21 that provides buoyancy to the flotationdispenser 10 with the buoyancy sufficient to support dispenser cartridge14 having water ports 14 a and dispenser cartridge 16 having water ports17 when each of the dispenser cartridges 14 are in a full condition.First container or cartridge 14 is located in the top portion ofcylindrical opening 13 a with cartridge 14 having water access ports 14a located below a water line 11. In this example cartridge 14 contains anon-consumable water dispersant 15 that retains its mass or weight as itreleases a dispersant such as metal ions into the body of water. Anexample of such a non-consumable water dispersant that retains its massor weight is a mineral that releases metal ions such as copper ions,silver ions or zinc ions when placed in a body of water. One example ofa non-consumable water dispersant is shown and described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,217,892, however, other non-consumable water dispersants may beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thesecond container or replaceable cartridge 16 contains a furtherdispersant which is a water consumable dispersant 19 that losses itsmass or weight when in contact with the body of water. An example of awater consumable dispersant 19 is a halogen, for example bromine orchlorine although other water consumable dispersants may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this examplethe first container or dispensing cartridge 14 and the second containeror dispensing cartridge 16 are centrally located within the housing andalong the central flotation axis 20 with the non water consumabledispersant 15 and the water consumable dispersant 19 having a specificof gravity greater than one with the weight of the water consumablewater dispersant 19 exceeding the weight of the non water consumabledispersant 15 so that flotation dispenser 10 has a bottom heavycondition causing the floatation dispenser 10 with the dispensingcartridges 14 and 16 therein to float in a first orientation as shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 1 also shows flotation dispenser 10 having a center ofgravity g_(e) located along the flotation axis 20 when the dispensingcartridge 16 is in an empty condition i.e. when no water consumabledispersants are in the dispensing cartridge 16 and a center of gravity 9_(f) located along the flotation axis 20 and below the center of gravity9 _(e) when the water consumable dispersants 19 is present in dispensingcartridge 16. When the center of gravity 9 _(f) of is below the centerof gravity g_(e) the flotation dispenser 10 floats in a bottom heavystate illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e. when the water consumable dispersant19 in cartridge 16 is in an undispersed or unconsumed state.

In the bottom heavy condition shown in FIG. 1 the weight of thenon-water consumable dispersant 15 in the upper cartridge 14 remainsconstant, and the water consumable dispersant 19 comprise a materialwhose mass and weight dissipates after placement into a body of water.However, initially the cartridges 14 and 16 have a combined weight whichis less than the buoyancy force of the flotation dispenser 10 therebyenabling the flotation dispenser 10 to floatingly support itselftogether with the cartridge 14 and dispersant 15 and the cartridge 16and water consumable dispersant 19. In this example the flotationdispenser 10 floats in a first vertical orientation when the waterconsumable dispersant 19 is an unconsumed condition since the weight ofthe consumable dispersant 19 creates a bottom heavy condition as shownin FIG. 1. The flotation dispenser 10 reverses its orientation 180degrees to support the flotation dispenser 10 in a second orientationwhen the water consumable dispersant 19 in the second cartridge 16 hasbeen consumed as the weight of the dispersant 15 becomes heavier thanthe water consumable dispersant 19. The arrows indicate the rotation ofthe flotation dispenser 10 as the center of gravity 9 _(f) of theflotation dispenser 10 changes to a position proximate the firstcartridge, which causes the flotation dispenser to invert 180 degrees inresponse to the dissipation of the water consumable dispersant 19therein.

In this example the initial weight of the water consumable dispersant 19and cartridge 16 is greater than the weight of the non-water consumabledispersant 15 and dispenser cartridge 14 with both cartridges 14 and 16floatingly supported in the housing or shell 12. That is, when the waterconsumable dispersant 19 in cartridge 16 is an unspent condition theflotation dispenser 10 floats in a first orientation as shown in FIG. 1to allow water access to the dispersants carried by the flotationdispenser 10.

The utilization of a spherical shaped flotation dispenser 12 with anannular flotation chamber 21 creates a flotation collar that allows oneto maximize the buoyancy force and maintain a small profile for thedispenser yet permit the dispenser to float in a first orientation whena dispersant is unspent and to rotate to a second orientation when thedispersant is spent or consumed, however other shapes may be usedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of another flotation dispenser 30similar to the flotation dispenser of FIG. 1 except the cartridge 31,which contains a ballast 32 that may or may not be a water conditioningmaterial, is located with its exterior surface 31 a following thespherical contour of shell 12. An example of a ballast, which is anon-water consumable dispersant, that also releases a water conditioningmaterial is a source of metal ions. Typically, it is preferred to use asource of metal ions that releases a zinc ion, a silver ion or a copperion since such sources of metal ions maintain the weight of the sourceof metal ions during the release of the metal ions into the body ofwater. In the example shown in FIG. 2 the ballast or source of metalions 32 is carried by a further cartridge 32 with the further cartridge32 located below a water line when the flotation dispenser 30 floats inthe body of water to thereby enable metal ions to be released into thebody of water.

While the flotation dispenser 10 of FIG. 2 may be used to simultaneouslydeliver two or more dispersants the flotation dispenser 30 may also beused to deliver only a single dispersant if the top cartridge 31contains an inert ballast 32 that lacks any water conditioning features.In such cases the ballast may be formed as a permanent part of theflotation collar 12. As used herein water-conditioning features refersto a water consumable or non water consumable material that has aneffect on the characteristics of the water as the water characteristicsrelates to the comfort and convenience for persons submerging themselvesfor example in pools, spas and hot tubs.

In the example shown in FIG. 2 the lower cartridge 33 is shown extendingpartially out of the flotation dispenser 30 with halogen pucks 34stacked vertically therein. A stand 33 a on the bottom of cartridge 33allows the spherical shaped flotation dispenser 30 to be placed on ashelf or the like prior to use without fear of the flotation dispenseraccidentally rolling off the shelf. In this example the cartridgedispenser 30 floats in the condition shown in FIG. 2 when the flotationdispenser is initially placed in a body of water. As the waterconsumable dispersant 34 therein is consumed or dispersed into the bodyof water the center of gravity of the flotation dispenser moves upwardalong axis 20 creating a torque on the flotation dispenser 30 causingthe flotation dispenser to rotate as illustrated by the arrows. That is,a gravitational torque exerted by a ratio of the water consumabledispersant to the ballast unbalances the forces on the flotationdispenser 30 sufficiently to make the floatation dispenser top heavythereby causing the flotation dispenser to rotate from a firstorientation as shown in FIG. 2 to a second orientation 180 degreesopposite to thereby alert an operator that a dispenser cartridge 33needs to be replaced. Thus, as the water consumable dispersant 34 isgradually consumed the flotation dispenser 30 will eventually invert 180degrees (see arrows) so that the bottom if the flotation dispenser 30,which was below the water line 11, becomes visible above the water line11 thus providing a visual signal to an operator that the waterconsumable dispersant 34 in cartridge 33 is in a spent condition i.e.water consumable dispersant needs to be replenished.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a three-stage flotation dispenser 40having a flotation collar 39 with an annular flotation chamber 21therein. Dispenser 40 is similar to dispenser 30 except the flotationdispenser 40 includes an elongated replaceable cartridge 42, which has agreater length and greater weight than cartridge dispenser 33, sincecartridge dispenser 41 contains additional halogen pucks 34. A set ofports 41 allow water to enter dispensing cartridge 42 and come intocontact with the consumable water dispersant 34.

In this example the use of a dispenser cartridge 42 with additionalhalogen pucks 34 increases the weight of the second dispenser cartridge42 sufficiently so that that the weight of cartridges 31 and 42overcomes the buoyancy force of the flotation chamber 21 thereby causingthe dispenser 40 to sink to the bottom of the body of water and remainin the bottom in an out of the way condition. When sufficient waterconsumable dispersant in dispenser cartridge 42 has been consumed itlessens the weight carried by the flotation dispenser 40 to a pointwhere the buoyancy force of the flotation dispenser 40 is sufficient tofloatingly support both dispenser cartridge 31 and its contents as wellas dispenser 42 and its contents. When the flotation dispenser floats tothe top of the body of water the flotation dispenser 40 is at leastpartially visible above the water line 11, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In this example, the amount of halogen 34 (i.e. the water consumabledispersant in the cartridge 42) may be selected such that when thehalogen 34 is in an unspent condition the cartridge 42 and the flotationdispensers 40 sink to the bottom of the body of water as shown in FIG.4, however, once the halogen has been partially consumed the flotationdispenser rises to the top of the pool (see FIG. 5) and floats in anupright condition as the further dispersant (i.e. halogen) continues todissipate. One may select a dispersant consumption state at which theflotation dispenser 40 rises from the bottom to correspond to the amountof water consumable dispersant 34 remaining in the dispenser cartridge42. For example, one may select a condition where the halogen indispensing cartridge 42 is 60% consumed as the condition where theflotation dispenser 40 rises so that if floats at least partially abovethe water line 11. Thus, when the flotation dispenser 40 surfaces theoperator will know that the dispenser cartridge 41 does not have to beimmediately replaced but will soon need to be replaced.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the three-stage flotation dispenser 40 ofFIG. 3 in relation to a water line 11 of a body of water 9. Flotationdispenser 40 has a light color 40 b on one hemispherical end offlotation dispenser 40 and a dark color 40 a on the oppositehemispherical end of flotation dispenser 40 with the colors visuallycontrastable with each other when the flotation dispenser 40 floats in abody of water to enable an operator to visually determine which end ofthe flotation dispenser 40 is above the water line and which end of theflotation dispenser 40 is below the water line.

In the first dispensing stage the flotation dispenser 40 is located atthe bottom of the body of water 9 (FIG. 4) with the light color end 40 bof flotation dispenser located above the dark color end 40 a end of theflotation dispenser and the cartridge extension bottom 42 a resting onthe bottom of the pool 11. In the first dispensing stage the waterconsumable dispersant, namely the halogen dispersant in the elongatedprotruding dispensing cartridge 42 is in an unspent or unconsumedcondition. Once the halogen dispersant in cartridge 42 begins todissipate the buoyancy of the flotation dispenser 40 becomes sufficientto lift the dispenser 40 to a flotation or second stage condition asillustrated in FIG. 5. Note, in this example the extension 42 is avertically collapsible cartridge that collapses as the dispersanttherein is consumed, however, a non-collapsible cartridge may be usedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Inaddition one may wish to size the cartridge 42 sufficiently small so thecartridge 42 fits within the shell yet when filled with water consumabledispersant causes the flotation dispenser 40 to sink when initiallyplaced in a body of water.

In the second stage (see FIG. 5) the dispenser 40 floats in a firstorientation with the light color end 40 b of flotation dispenser 40facing upward since the decrease in weight of the water consumabledispersant in dispenser cartridge 42 through release of the dispersantinto the body of water is sufficient to cause the flotation dispenser 40to rise but insufficient to generate a torque that would cause thecenter of gravity of the flotation dispenser to shift sufficiently torotate the flotation dispenser 180 degrees.

Thus, FIG. 5 shows the flotation dispenser 40 floating in the body ofwater in the second stage of the three dispensing stages and FIG. 6shows the flotation dispenser 40 floating in the body of water in thethird dispensing stage. In the second dispensing stage or intermediatedispersant condition, as shown in FIG. 5 the lower halogen waterconsumable dispersant 34 is being dispersed into the body of water asthe flotation dispenser 40 floats in the body of water. However, as theweight of the non-water consumable dispersant 32 remains constant whilethe weight of water consumable dispersant therein continues to decreasethe flotation disperser 40 inverts as shown in FIG. 6 which has beenheretofore described in relation to flotation dispenser 20 and flotationdisperser 30. The change of orientation of flotation dispenser 40 inFIG. 6 is indicated by the light color end 40 b of flotation dispenser40 located below the water line 11 and the dark color end 40 a offlotation dispenser 40 located above the water line 11. The color 40 band color 40 a are visually contrasting colors that enable a person toquickly determine which end of the flotation dispenser 40 is above thewater line and which is below the water line to thereby let the userknow whether the dispensing cartridge 42 in flotation dispenser 40should or should not be replaced. Thus the three-stage dispenser 40 canbe used to indicate an initial dispersant condition, an intermediatedispersant condition as well as a dispersant replace condition. Whilethe use of different colors on the opposite ends of the flotationdispenser 40 has been shown other contrasting features such asstructural features may be used to provide an indication to an operatorof the orientation of the flotation dispenser as well as the amount ofdispersant remaining without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view of one example of a replaceabledispenser cartridge 50 for use in a flotation dispenser 40 (FIG. 3 andFIG. 8A) where the dispenser cartridge 50 contains both a waterconsumable dispersant 59 and a non-water consumable dispersant 52 a.Dispenser cartridge 50 includes a cylindrical housing 51 with a firstinternal compartment 52 a containing a stack of water consumable halogenpucks 59 and a second internal compartment 52 containing a non-waterconsumable mineral dispersant 58 with the compartments 52 and 52 alocated in axial alignment with each other along a central axis 9. Whilelarge diameter halogen pucks 59 are shown the halogen usable in thedispenser cartridge 50 may be in other shapes and sizes withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the dispenser cartridge 50 revealingcircumferentially spaced fluid ports 51 a and 51 b that provide foringress and egress of water into the dispenser cartridge 50 compartments52 and 52 a causing water release of the dispersant into a body of waterproximate the dispenser cartridge 50. In operation of cartridge 50 watercontacts the water consumable dispersant 59 through the openings 51 band contacts the non-consumable dispersant 58 through the openings 51 a.The water contact with the dispersants releases the dispersants, forexample metal ions such as silver, copper or zinc ions and a halogensuch as chlorine or bromine, into the body of water proximate thedispensing cartridge 50.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 8A show a top view of dispensing cartridge 50 revealingthe set of radial spacers 54 or extensions that are circumferentiallyspaced and extend radially outward from cylindrical surface 57 forpurposes of holding the cartridge 50 in a spaced condition from acylindrical wall 40 a within the flotation collar 40. FIG. 8A shows thatwhen cartridge 50 is centrally positioned with the cylindrical sidewall57 the cartridge 51 and the flotation collar 40 coact to form a set offour axial water passages 56 located between the spacers 54. As shown bythe FIG. 8A top view of the dispenser cartridge 50 and flotationdispenser 40 the spacers 54 maintain the dispensing cartridge 50 in acentral position within floatation dispenser 40. The spacers 54 create aset of four axial fluid passages 56 between sidewall 40 a and sidewall57, which allows the water supporting the flotation dispenser 40 toenter the underwater portion of the flotation dispenser 40 and releasethe dispersants within the dispensing cartridge 50 into the body ofwater supporting the flotation dispenser 40 as the water enters thedispensing cartridges through the side ports 51 a and 51 b. That is,when the flotation collar 40 floats with a top portion above a waterline the axial fluid passages 56 allow water to flow axially back andforth below the water line along the outside of the dispenser cartridge50 as well as radially into the dispenser cartridge 50 where the watercontacts the dispersant 58 within the compartment 52 and the dispersant59 within compartment 52 a. The water contact with the dispersantstherein occurs as the flotation dispenser 40 and dispenser cartridge 50float in a conjoined condition in a body of water as the flotationdispenser 40 maintain the water ports 51 b and at least some or all ofthe water ports 51 a of the dispenser cartridge 50 below the water linethereby allowing water to freely come into contact with the dispersantsin the dispenser cartridge compartments 52 and 52 a.

In some embodiments the dispensing cartridge 50 may extend through theflotation collar and in other examples the dispensing cartridge 50 mayextend only partially through the flotation dispenser, however, with thecenter of mass of the non consumable dispersants located above ageometric center of the flotation collar and the consumable dispersantslocated below the geometric center of the flotation collar the torque onthe flotation dispenser 40 generated though the change in buoyancyforces can be used to rotate the flotation dispenser 40 from a firstcondition to a second condition as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.Preferably, the flotation dispenser 40 is flotationally balanced i.e.sphere like so that flotation dispenser 40 can float in first conditionwhere the torque generated by the consuming of the consumable dispersantis sufficient to rotate the flotation dispenser 40 from the firstcondition to a second condition to reveal a visual marking on theflotation dispenser 40 to provide a viewer with an indication of thestatus of the consumable dispersant in the dispensing cartridge 50,which is fixedly supported in the flotation dispenser 40. However, othershapes may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. In the example of FIG. 1 two separate dispensing cartridgesare used to hold the water-soluble dispersant and the non-water solubledispersant which allows a separate replacement of the cartridge with thewater consumable dispersant while retaining the cartridge with thenon-water soluble water dispersant therein. In the example of FIG. 7 asingle dispensing cartridge 50 supports both the water consumabledispersant and the non-water consumable dispersant so that when thecartridge 50 is replaced both the water soluble dispersant and the nonwater soluble dispersants are replaced. A feature of the invention isthat through selection of one or two cartridges one can matchconsumption criteria. For example, with some water-soluble dispersantsthe water soluble dispersant will last for a season and then be recycledor discarded at the end of the season. In those applications a singlecartridge may be preferred while the floatation dispenser is reused. Inother cases where the water consumable dispersant dissipates morerapidly it may be preferred to use two or more cartridges with at leastone of the cartridges replaceable after the water soluble dispersanttherein has been consumed. In still other cases it may be preferred thatboth the cartridges and the floatation dispenser are recycled ordiscarded after one of the dispersants therein has been consumed.

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of a replaceable dispensercartridge 60 wherein the consumable dispersant comprises a set ofhalogen pucks 59 maintained in a stacked relationship within an opensided cartridge 60 having a set of vertical ribs 61 for restraining theconsumable dispersant therein. In this example one end of the verticalribs 61 engages the cartridge bottom 63 and the other end engages thedispersant housing 64, which contains a set of opening 64 a to allowwater to obtain access to the non-consumable dispersant 66 a indispenser compartment 66. FIG. 11 illustrates the cooperativerelationship between floatation dispenser 40 and the dispenser cartridge60 with a set of axial fluid passageways 68 located proximate thedispenser cartridge 60 to enable water contact with the dispersantstherein when the dispenser cartridge 60 is supported in the water byfloatation dispenser 40. In the example shown the mineral dispensercompartment 66 is located at the top end of the cartridge 60 and thecartridge extends complete through the flotation dispenser 40 to providea maxim rotational torque on the flotation dispenser 40 when the halogenis consumed. In some instance the mineral dispenser compartment 66 maybe located below the top end but above the geometrical center of thedispenser cartridge 60 since a maximum rotational forces may not berequired. In still other cases one may use the axial positioning of thedispenser cartridge 60 to establish an equilibrium point where theweight of the remaining consumable dispersant is insufficient to preventthe flotation collar from inverting. In either case the water comes incontact with the consumable and the non-consumable dispersants byentering the underwater side of the flotation dispenser 40. Thus, inthis example the dispensing cartridge 60 comprises a container having afirst end containing a non-water consumable water dispersant 66 a and asecond end containing a water consumable dispersant 59 with both thewater consumable water dispersant and the non-water consumabledispersant located below a water line when the flotation dispenser islocated in a body of water in order to dispense material into the bodyof water.

FIG. 12 shows a set of dispensing cartridges 70 and 71 having the sameshape but not necessarily the same dispersants or the same weight. Thatis, dispensing cartridge 70 may have a weight W₁ when in the filledstate and dispensing cartridge 71 may have a weight W₂ when in thefilled state where W₁ and W₂ are not equal but either cartridge may beused with the flotation dispenser 75 shown in FIG. 12A. In the exampleshown the first cartridge 70 includes a cylindrical surface 70 c withwater ports 70 b therein and similarly the second cartridge 71 include acylindrical surface 71 c with water ports 71 b therein. FIG. 12A showsan example of a spherical floatation dispenser 75 for receiving andsupporting either dispensing cartridge 70 or 71. Flotation dispenser 75includes a set of radial extensions 76 that extend radially inward fromcylindrical side wall 75 a to provide a central support for eitherdispensing cartridge 70 or dispensing cartridge 71 as well as provide aset of axial fluid passages 80 a between the cylindrical surface 75 aand the exterior cylindrical surface 70 c of dispensing cartridge 70 orthe exterior cylindrical surface 71 c of dispensing cartridge 71 toenable the water supporting the flotation dispenser to enter theunderside of the flotation dispenser and come into contact with thedispersants within the dispensing cartridges. In this example theflotation dispenser 75 contains spacers 76 to maintain the axial fluidpassages proximate the dispensing cartridge 70 or 71 so that the watersupporting the floatation dispenser 75 can contact the dispersantswithin the dispensing cartridges as they are supported by the flotationdispenser 75. The feature of having interchangeable dispensingcartridges that have different weights, one which causes the flotationdispenser 40 to sink when placed in a body of water and one that doesnot allows one to use the same flotation dispenser 40 to provide foreither two stage or three stage operation.

FIG. 13 shows an example of another flotation dispenser 80 wherein a setof three axial fluid passages 80 a are located in the flotationdispenser 80 to support a dispensing cartridge 85 a therein with thedispensing cartridge 85 having a water port 85 a on the end of thedispensing cartridge 85.

FIG. 14 shows a partial cutaway view of a flotation dispenser 80 forminga flotation collar for a dispensing cartridge 85 with the dispensingcartridge 80 axially maintained within a central passage of theflotation dispenser 80 through a fastener comprising a first elongatedend member 90 secured to one end of the cartridge and a second elongatedend member 89 secured to the opposite end of the dispensing cartridge84. In this example the flotation dispenser 80 has an annular flotationchamber 80 a with the dispensing cartridge 85 removably mounted within acentral passage 80 b of the flotation dispenser 80.

FIG. 17 is a top view showing the floatation dispenser 80 having acylindrical side wall 80 b forming a central opening with dispensingcartridge 85 located therein and a set of three axial fluid passages 80d for allowing water access to the dispensing cartridge 85 locatedtherein.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective-isolated view of dispensing cartridge 85with side water ports 84 a and 84 b to provide water access todispersants within the dispenser cartridge 85 when the dispensingcartridge is supported within a flotation dispenser 80. Dispensingcartridge 95 includes a hole 85 a therein for use in securing thedispensing cartridge within a flotation dispenser. To appreciate thefeature of a fastener for removable mounting of a dispensing cartridgewithin the flotation dispenser reference should be made to FIG. 16 whichshows an exploded view of dispensing cartridge 85 with fastening member90 located proximate one end of the cartridge housing 84 and fasteningmember 89 located proximate the opposite end of the cartridge housing 84for retaining the dispensing cartridge 85 within the flotation dispenser80 without interfering with water access to the ports 84 a and 84 b onthe sidewall of dispensing cartridge 85.

Fastening member 89 comprises an elongated strip 89 d having a length L,which is longer than the diameter of the central passage in theflotation dispenser 80, with a shaft 89 c supporting a conical head 89 ahaving an annular shoulder 89 b. Similarly, fastening member 90comprises an elongated strip 90 d, which has a length longer than thediameter of the central passage in the flotation dispenser 80, and ashaft 90 c supporting a conical head 90 a having an annular shoulder 90b. In the example shown each of the elongated fastening members comprisepolymer plastics, however, other materials may be used without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The fastening member 89 and90 allow one to quickly secure the dispenser cartridge 85 within aflotation collar 80 by applying axial force to the elongated member. Forexample by applying an axial force to elongated member 90 one can forcehead 90 a through the opening 85 a (FIG. 15) wherein the relation shipbetween the diameter of the conical head and the opening provides aninterference fit so that a force is required to insert the conical head90 a through the opening 85 a in the top end of the cartridge 85. Theannular should 90 b resists withdrawal of the elongated member 90 thusmaintaining the elongated member 90 as a stop since the length L isgreater than the diameter of the opening in the flotation collar. Theoperation of the second elongated member 89 is identical in operationand will not be described, however when both elongated members 89 and 90are secured to the end of the dispenser they form a fastener to retainthe dispensing cartridge 84 within the flotation dispenser 80. Theadvantage of the use of elongated members is that the elongated membersallow fluid to enter the axial passages within the flotation dispenser80 since they do not block the fluid flow into the axial passages. Toremove the dispensing cartridge 85 one can simply pull either theelongated member 89 or elongated member 90 free of the end of thedispensing cartridge 85 to allow the dispensing cartridge 85 to beremoved from the flotation dispenser 80. While mechanical stops 89 and90 have been shown as a fastener for securing the dispensing cartridge85 within the flotation collar 80 other example of fasteners may includetabs on either the collar or the dispensing cartridge. In still otherexamples of fasteners threads may be used to removably and rotationallysecure the dispensing cartridge within the floatation dispenser withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view of dispensing cartridge 80 located in an axiallyretained position in floatation collar 90. The fastening member 90 isshown in engagement with dispensing cartridge 95. In this example theconical head 90 a has been forced through the opening 85 a (FIG. 15) inthe dispensing cartridge to mechanically engage the end of thedispensing cartridge 85. As can be seen in FIG. 17 the fastening member90 limits the downward displacement of the dispensing cartridge withinthe flotation collar 80. Similarly, the fastening member 89, whichfastens to the opposite end of the dispensing cartridge limits theupward displacement of cartridge 85 within collar 80.

Thus the fastening member 89 and fastening member 90 form a fastener formaintaining the dispensing cartridge 85 in an operative condition withinthe flotation dispenser 80. Fastening member 89 and 90 are preferablymade from a hand ruptureable material so one can pull the elongatedmember free of the dispensing cartridge 85 when one needs to remove thespent dispensing cartridge 85 from the flotation dispenser 80.

The examples of flotation dispensers shown in the drawings reveal aflotation dispenser that forms a flotation collar and a cartridge thatis removably mounted in a central passage within the flotation collar toallow a spent cartridge to be replaced with a fresh cartridge.

A feature of the flotation dispensers described herein is the use ofreplaceable cartridges, which contain different dispersants and areinterchangeable with each other enabling an exchange of a cartridge tochange the performance of the flotation dispenser as well as providevisual alerts to the status of the dispersant in the flotationdispenser. Consequently, based on the characteristics of the selectedcartridge, which is mounted in the flotation collar formed by theflotation dispenser one can have a flotation dispenser that can functionas either a two-stage dispenser or a three-stage dispenser. FIG. 5 and

FIG. 6 illustrate the two-stage dispenser and the FIG. 4, FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 illustrate the three-stage dispenser. The selection of aparticular cartridge for the type of dispersants allows the flotationdispenser to provide unique indicators of the status of the dispersantdelivered to the body of water even though the characteristics of theflotation dispenser remain the same.

In the two-stage mode the dispensing cartridge and the flotation collarcreate a flotation dispenser that can simultaneously dispense twodifferent water treatment materials such as a halogen and metal ions andprovide an indication when one or both of the water treatment materialsare consumed. In the first stage of the two stage mode the flotationdispenser floats in an upright condition indicating that the watertreatment material in the flotation dispenser are being delivered to thebody of water.

FIG. 5 shows a flotation dispenser 40 floating in a first condition witha light color end of hemisphere 40 b above the water line and a darkcolor end of hemisphere 40 a below the water line 11. This conditioncorresponds to the first stage in a two-stage mode.

In the second stage of the two stage mode the flotation dispenser 40inverts as shown in FIG. 6 with the end of dark color hemisphere 40 alocated above the water line and the end of the light colored section 40b located below the water line to indicate that at least one of thewater treatment materials has been consumed and that the cartridge inthe flotation dispenser should be replaced with a fresh cartridge.

The purpose of the different color end sections is to provide a visualindication that one or both of the dispersants within the flotationdispenser have been consumed and should be replaced. That is, in somecases the water life i.e. the length of time the dispersant iseffective, of the non-consumable dispersant may be matched to the waterlife of the consumable dispersant so both are replaced at the same time.In other examples the water life of the non-consumable dispersant mayhave a longer water life than the consumable dispersant so that only theconsumable dispersant will be replaced. In such examples separatecartridges or cartridges that are detachable from each other may be usedto hold the dispersants.

In operation of the flotation dispenser in the two-stage mode one mayuse a dispenser cartridge containing a first non-consumable dispersant,such as a source of metal ions, in an upper portion of the dispensingcartridge and a consumable dispersant, such as a halogen in the lowerportion of the dispensing cartridge as illustrated in FIG. 7. Analternate arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein thenon-consumable dispersant is in a separate cartridge from the consumabledispersant. The embodiment of FIG. 1 may be used where it is anticipatedthat the non-consumable dispersant may have a longer dispensing life orwater life than the consumable dispersant. If the dispensing life of theconsumable dispersant and the non-consumable dispersant areapproximately the same it may be preferred to use a single dispenser asillustrated in FIG. 7. In either condition the non water consumabledispersant, which is typically a source of metal ions, maintains itsweigh during the dispensing phase while the water consumable dispersantdecreases in weight as it is dispersed into the body of water. In theinitial state the water consumable dispersant has a weight which isgreater than the weight of the non water consumable dispersant when thedispenser cartridge is installed in the flotation dispenser which causesthe flotation dispenser to float in a first orientation (see FIG. 5)until such time the weight of the consumable dispersant is equal to orless than the weight of the non water consumable dispersant which causesthe center of gravity of the flotation dispenser to shift causing theflotation dispenser to invert 180 degrees (see FIG. 6) thus alerting anoperator that the consumable dispersant is either spent or that it isspent and that the cartridge must be replaced.

In the operation of the flotation dispenser in the two-stage mode theweight of the cartridges are matched to the flotation capacity of theflotation dispenser. Normally, in the two stage mode F, which is thebuoyancy force of the flotation dispenser in a submerged state, isgreater than W1+W2+W3 where, W₁ is the weight of the non-consumabledispersant such as a mineral dispersant in the top compartment, W₂ isthe weight of the water consumable dispersant such as a halogendispersant which is in an undissolved state in the bottom compartmentand W₃ is the weight of the dispenser cartridges that support thedispersants.

The above two-stage relationship causes the flotation dispenser 40, asshown in FIG. 5, to float in a first condition with the dispenser lightside 40 b visible above the water line. When the consumable dispersantis dispensed into the body of water the weight W₂ of the waterconsumable material decreases until W₂ is less than W₃ which changes thecenter of gravity of the flotation dispenser 40 causing the heavier topcompartment containing the non consumable dispersant to become thebottom compartment. The results is illustrated in FIG. 6 where the lightcolor surface 40 b of flotation dispenser 40 is now below the water line11 and the dark color surface 40 a of flotation dispenser 40 is abovethe water line. Thus in the two stage mode of operation the weight ofthe dispenser cartridges and there contents is less than the buoyancyforce F so that the flotation dispenser is maintained in a floatingcondition as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

In the three stage mode of operation the relationship of the weight ofthe cartridge in the full or the spent condition as well as the buoyancyforce of the flotation dispenser are selected to enable the flotationdispenser to function in as a three stage mode by merely selection theappropriate dispensing cartridge. This feature allows one to use theflotation dispenser with different dispersants and have the position ofthe dispenser with respect to a water line indicate the status of thedispersant therein.

In the first stage of the three stage mode the buoyancy force F of theflotation collar is insufficient to support the combined weight of themineral dispersant, the dispenser cartridge and the weight of thehalogen dispersant thereby causing the flotation collar to sink asillustrated in FIG. 4. That is the negative buoyancy forces −F₁ of thedispensing cartridges and the dispersants are greater than the positivebuoyancy force F of the flotation dispenser. Thus when a buoyancy forceof the flotation dispenser is insufficient to floatingly support theflotation dispenser and the dispenser cartridges in a full condition theflotation dispenser sinks and remain in a submerged condition (FIG. 4)until sufficient water consumable dispersant has been consumed to enablethe buoyancy force of the flotation dispenser to exceed the weight ofthe dispenser cartridges and their contents.

As the consumable dispersant within the dispensing cartridge carried bythe flotation dispenser 40 is water consumed the weight of theconsumable dispersant lessens until it reaches a point where −F₁ is lessthan F causing the flotation dispenser 40 and the dispensing cartridgeand their contents to rise from a submerged condition to the secondstage where the flotation dispenser 40 floats partially above the waterline as illustrated in FIG. 5. In the example shown in FIG. 5 the weightof the consumable dispersant is sufficiently great in relation to theweight of the non-water consumable dispersant so that the dispensingcartridge has a bias for floating in an upright condition thus causingthe flotation dispenser 40 to float with end surface 40 b at leastpartially above the water line.

As the water consumable dispersant dissipates from the cartridge itreaches a point where the orientation of the flotation dispenser 40changes since the top heavy non consumable dispersant, which has acenter of mass located above the geometric center of the flotationdispenser 40, causes the flotation dispenser to invert 180 degrees asshown in FIG. 6 thereby bringing the colored surface 40 a above thewater line 11 which providing a visual indictor that a water consumabledispersant therein is spent and the dispensing cartridge should bereplaced.

FIG. 12 shows two cartridges 70 and 71 for placement in a flotationdispenser with the two dispensing cartridges having different buoyancy−F₂ and −F₃ with the flotation dispenser 40 having a buoyancy force F.By selection of the cartridge 70 which has a negative buoyancy force F₂that is greater than the positive buoyancy force F of the floatationcollar one finds that −F₂+F is less than zero thus causing the flotationdispenser 40 and cartridges therein to sink as shown in FIG. 4. Thuscartridge 70 allows the flotation dispenser 70 to be used in athree-stage mode illustrated by FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6,

On the other hand if one desires to use the flotation dispenser in a twostage mode one select dispensing cartridge 71 where the negativebuoyancy force F₃ of the dispensing cartridge is less than the positivebuoyancy force F of the flotation dispenser 40. In this condition theflotation dispenser therein will float in the upright condition asillustrated in FIG. 5. As the water consumable dispersants within thedispensing cartridge carried by the flotation dispenser are consumed theflotation dispenser 40 inverts as illustrated in FIG. 6 thus exposingthe color surface 40 a above the water line 11 to thereby alert anoperator of the time to replace the dispenser cartridge therein.

Thus a feature of the invention is that the same flotation dispenser 40may be used in either a two-stage mode or a three-stage mode byselection of the appropriate dispensing cartridge.

A feature of the invention is that in the three-stage mode one of themodes can be used to indicate that a third dispersant has been consumedwhere the third dispersant is a dispersant that requires only periodicapplication rather than continual application such as water sanitizers.

Thus by having a flotation dispenser 40 to include a first surface thatremains at least partially above a water line, for example 40 b, whenthe weight of the water consumable dispersant is greater than the weightof the non-water consumable dispersant and a second surface, for example40 a, visually different from the first surface that remains at leastpartially above a water line when the water consumable dispersant hasbeen consumed one can provide a visual indication to replace the waterconsumable dispersant as the flotation dispenser 40 floats in a body ofwater.

Thus it can be appreciated that the use of one type of cartridge in theflotation dispenser can be used to create a flotation dispenser that cansimultaneously dispense two or more different water treatment materialssuch as a halogen and metal ions as well as provide an indication whenone of the dispersants is nearing a condition when the dispersanttherein should be replaced or is at a condition where the dispersantshould be replaced.

While the invention has been described in relation to replaceablecartridges it is envisioned that one may want the cartridges forcontaining the dispersants to be fixedly formed in the cartridge chamberwhich, is centrally located in the flotation dispenser. In such casesthe flotation dispenser would be discarded or recycled and replaced witha new flotation dispenser containing fresh dispersants.

Preferable the flotation dispenser as well as the cartridges therein aremade from a polymer plastic, however, other materials may be usedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the material for the flotation dispenser and the cartridges maybe made from material having a specify gravity less than one.

As shown in the drawings the flotation dispensers 10, 30 and 40, whichcontain a first container with a non-consumable dispersant and a secondcontainer with a water-consumable dispersant with both containerslocated along the central axis and with both containers havingdispersants with a specific of gravity greater than one. In operation ofthe invention the weight of the water consumable dispersant exceeds theweight of the first container with the non-consumable dispersant and thetotal weight of the first water container with the non-consumabledispersant and the second container with the water consumable dispersantis either less than a buoyancy force of the flotation dispenser orgreater than the buoyancy force of the floating dispenser.

In one mode the invention comprises a multi-stage floatation dispenserfor delivering at least one dissolvable dispersant to a body of waterwith the dispenser comprising a support shell having a central axis, acylindrical sleeve having a cylindrical opening extending along thecentral axis and an annular flotation chamber located in the sphericalshell to provide a buoyancy force to the dispenser. Carried by thefloatation dispenser is a first container for a water dispersant thatretains its mass when in contact with the body of water with the firstcontainer located in the cylindrical opening and a second containercontaining a further water dispersant with the further water dispersantcomprising a dissolvable dispersant with the first container and thesecond container located along the central axis of the dispenser. Thedispenser having a first stage where the dispersant and the furtherdispersant have a total weight greater than the buoyancy force when thefurther water dispersant is in an undissolved state causing thedispenser, the dispersant and the further dispersant to sink to thebottom of the body of water. The dispenser having a second stage whereinthe dispersant and the further dispersant have a total weight less thanthe buoyancy force as a result of dissolving of the further waterdispersant thereby causing the dispenser to float in a first orientationwith a portion of the dispenser visible above a water line to therebyprovide a visual indication that one can expect to replace the dispenserin the near future. The dispenser having a third stage whereby by thedissolving of the further dispersant changes the center of gravity ofthe dispenser causing the dispenser to invert thereby providing afurther visual indication to either replace the dispenser or to place afresh charge of the further dispersant into the dispenser.

The invention further includes method of delivering two or moredispersants to a body of water through a flotation dispenser by placinga non-water consumable dispersant in the flotation dispenser and a waterconsumable dispersant in a cartridge while positioning the cartridgeaxially below the non-water consumable dispersant in the flotationdispenser with the water consumable dispersant having a weight greaterthan a weight of the non-water consumable dispersant. Next one placesthe flotation dispenser with the water consumable dispersant and thenon-water consumable dispersant in the body of water wherein the weightof the water consumable dispersant in a consumed state is insufficientto maintain the flotation dispenser in a submerged condition. One maywant to place the water consumable dispersant in a replaceable cartridgethat is removable from the flotation dispenser to enable replacement ofthe replaceable cartridge in the flotation dispenser when the waterconsumable dispersant therein has been consumed without having toreplace the non-water consumable dispersant in the floatation dispenser.In addition one may include the step of spacing the replaceablecartridge from a wall of the flotation dispenser to provide a waterpassage therebetween for directing water to a water port of thereplaceable cartridge from an underside of the floatation dispenser.

I claim:
 1. A multi-stage flotation dispenser for floatingly deliveringone or more dispersants to a body of water comprising; a housing havinga central axis; a cylindrical sleeve having a cylindrical openingextending along the central axis; an annular flotation chamber locatedin the housing to provide buoyancy to the flotation dispenser; a firstcontainer for a water dispersant with a water dispersant located thereinthat retains its mass when in contact with the body of water, said firstcontainer located in the cylindrical opening; a second container for afurther water dispersant with a further water dispersant therein thatlosses its mass to the body of water, said first container and saidsecond container located along the central axis with the first waterdispersant and the further water dispersant having a specific of gravitygreater than one, said further water dispersant having a weightexceeding a weight of the first container and the first waterdispersant, wherein the first water container with the first waterdispersant and the second container with the further water dispersanteither having a total weight less than a buoyancy force of the flotationdispenser or a total weight greater than the buoyancy force of theflotation dispenser.
 2. The multi-stage flotation dispenser of claim 1wherein the housing is formed from a material having a specific ofgravity less than one.
 3. The multi-stage flotation dispenser of claim 1wherein the first container is engageable with the cylindrical sleevefor maintaining the first dispersant in a fixed axial position in thehousing to provide an axial fluid passage proximate the first containerwith the axial fluid passage in fluid communication with the body ofwater through an underside of the flotation dispenser.
 4. Themulti-stage flotation dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second containerwith the further dispersant is removably engageable with the flotationdispenser for replacement thereof and the second container with thefurther dispersant is maintained below the first dispersant when thefurther dispersant is in an unconsumed state.
 5. The multi-stageflotation dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first dispersant comprises asource of metal ions and the further dispersant comprises a halogen. 6.The multi-stage flotation dispenser of claim 1 wherein the secondcontainer and the first container and their contents have a combinedweight that is greater than the buoyancy force of the flotationdispenser to cause the dispenser to sink when initially placed in thebody of water.
 7. The multi-stage flotation dispenser of claim 1,wherein the flotation dispenser housing has a spherical shape with aportion of the second container for the further dispersant extendingoutward from the multi-stage flotation dispenser.
 8. The multi-stageflotation dispenser of claim 7 wherein the second container has asupport for maintaining the second container in a dispensing conditionwhen the multi-stage dispenser is in a submerged condition.
 9. Themulti-stage flotation dispenser of claim 6 wherein the weight of thefurther dispersant in a partially consumed state in conjunction with theweight of the first container and its contents is insufficient tomaintain the flotation dispenser in a submerged condition.
 10. Amulti-stage dispenser for delivering at least one dissolvable dispersantto a body of water comprising; a spherical support shell having acentral axis; a cylindrical sleeve having a cylindrical openingextending along the central axis; an annular flotation chamber locatedin the spherical shell to provide a buoyancy force to the dispenser; afirst container for a water dispersant that retains its mass when incontact with the body of water, said first container located in thecylindrical opening; a second container containing a further waterdispersant with the further water dispersant comprising a dissolvabledispersant, said first container and said second container located alongthe central axis of the dispenser with the dispenser having a firststage where the dispersant and the further dispersant having a totalweight greater than the buoyancy force when the further water dispersantis in an undissolved state causing the dispenser, the dispersant and thefurther dispersant to sink to the bottom of the body of water and asecond stage wherein the dispersant and the further dispersant have atotal weight less than the buoyancy force as a result of dissolving ofthe further water dispersant thereby causing the dispenser to float in afirst orientation with a portion of the dispenser visible above a waterline to thereby provide a visual indication that one can expect toreplace the dispenser in the near future, said dispenser having a thirdstage whereby by the dissolving of the further dispersant changes thecenter of gravity of the dispenser causing the dispenser to invertthereby providing a further visual indication to either replace thedispenser or to place a fresh charge of the further dispersant into thedispenser.